Page 23 of Solan

“Let me be the judge of that. My tastes are... particular.” Boros stroked a hand across his chest.

Solan looked away. He’d heard about Boros’s particular desires. He liked to shackle his females. He was a dominant. He was not popular among female Galaxars because of that. They were his equal. He hated that. There was a tale of a female Galaxar knocking Boros on his ass because he’d tried to strap her to his bed. Females should not be shackled unless they desired it.

“Do you have something you wish to say, Colonel Solan?” Boros’s tone was acidic.

Solan turned and met his gaze. “My own experience of My Single Alien has been positive. I’m sure yours will be the same. May your coupling bring you many squibs.”

“That is the plan,” Boros said. “Perhaps I have already met somebody I would like to mate with.” He took hold of Vegas’s hand and kissed the back of it.

A forced sounding laugh came out of her. “You’re very kind. But I assure you, I have found you a much better mate. She will give you many children. She will make you happy.”

“And I will her. She will want for nothing, providing she gives me what I need.” Boros kept hold of Vegas’s hand.

Solan ground his teeth together. That strange twist in his stomach happened again. He would definitely get a member of his troop to assess the suitability of the space station’s air quality. He could not spend his time here feeling unwell. He needed to be on his guard with Boros around.

He watched Boros as rage swept through him. Boros continued to hold Vegas’s hand, despite her showing her discomfort as she shifted from foot to foot and talked too rapidly.

“Brigadier Boros, I heard rumors of an unsuccessful mission in the Bacchar Quadrant. Several of your warriors were killed.”

Boros swung toward Solan, dropping Vegas’s hand as he did so. “Those rumors are wrong. We were victorious.”

Solan took a second to look at the warriors accompanying Boros. There were several new faces. He was lying. “An attack from the Mehab, so I heard. They are ruthless fighters. I understand if you suffered losses.”

“I experienced no losses,” Boros said. “As you can see, I have a full quota of warriors.”

“I don’t recognize all of them.” Solan knew he was riling Boros, but he needed to keep his attention off Vegas. If he received a beating because of that, then so be it.

“You know each of my commanding officers well?”

“We meet from time to time,” Solan said. “Where is Dathar? He owes me on a game.”

Boros slammed his fists into Solan’s chest. “You accuse me of lying?”

“Hold on a second!” Vegas said, her hands raised in protest. “No one is accusing anyone of anything.”

Solan stood his ground, despite his bones jarring from the attack by Boros. “It was an observation. I wondered if he had found his own mate and was nesting with her.”

“He has not,” Boros growled. “You do not get to question a brigadier about his commanding officers. You forget yourself, Colonel.”

Solan lowered his head a fraction, accepting he was of a lower rank than Boros, even though it made his blood boil at the thought of this corrupt Galaxar having any say over him. “I did not mean to cause offense.”

“You have.”

Solan raised his gaze to meet Boros’s. The challenge there was clear. Boros was spoiling for a fight. Solan would gladly give him one.

Vegas squeezed herself between the two Galaxars and placed a hand on each of their chests. “Brigadier. Colonel. There is no need for this. I understand everyone’s excitement about being here. Your experience with My Single Alien is not one you will forget. You are here to find your mates. Focus on the fact you will both soon have a squib of your own. That is a reason to celebrate, not to be angry.”

Boros looked down at Vegas. “You are defending this Galaxar?”

Solan was amazed when Vegas didn’t cower before Boros but placed both hands on his chest and stared him down. “What I am protecting is this space station and everyone in it. I am protecting the reputation of My Single Alien, and I am protecting the women who have signed up to offer you the chance to have a child. I am protecting an asset you consider more valuable than anything else, an asset you have paid handsomely for. I want to ensure you get that, but I will not do it if you threaten others on the space station.”

“He dishonored me,” Boros growled.

“Colonel Solan has acknowledged his inappropriate behavior.”

Solan opened his mouth to protest but then stopped. Vegas would be crushed between them if they fought. He bit his tongue.

“Do not mark your time here with petty rivalries,” Vegas said.